Victoria's Secret
Encyclopedia
Victoria's Secret is an American
retailer of women's wear, lingerie
and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands
with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income
of $1 billion in 2006. Victoria's Secret is known for its annual fashion show, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and for its catalog
s, both of which feature top fashion models.
, in 1977 by Tufts University
and Stanford Graduate School of Business
alumnus Roy Raymond
, who felt embarrassed trying to purchase lingerie for his wife in a department store
environment. He opened the first store at Stanford Shopping Center
in Palo Alto, and quickly followed it with a mail-order catalog and three other stores. The stores were meant to create a comfortable environment for men, with wood-paneled walls, Victorian details and helpful sales staff. Instead of racks of bras and panties in every size, there were single styles, paired together and mounted on the wall in frames. Men could browse for styles for women and sales staff would help estimate the appropriate size, pulling from inventory in the back rooms.
In 1982, after five years of operation, Roy Raymond sold the Victoria's Secret company, with its six stores and 42-page catalogue, grossing $6 million per year, to Leslie Wexner, creator of The Limited, for $4 million. The Limited kept the personalized image of Victoria's Secret intact. Victoria's Secret was rapidly expanded into the U.S. malls throughout the 1980s. The company was able to vend a widened range of products, such as shoes, evening wear, and perfumes, with its mail catalog issued eight times annually. By the early 1990s, Victoria's Secret had become the largest American lingerie retailer, topping one billion dollars.
Beginning in 1995, Victoria's Secret began holding the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which is broadcast
ed primetime on American television. The show is a lavish event with elaborate costume
d lingerie
, varying music
, and set design according to the different themes running within the show. The show attracts hundreds of celebrities and entertainers, with special performers and/or acts every year.
On July 10, 2007, Limited Brands sold 75% of The Limited clothing chain to firm Sun Capital Partners to focus and boost sales growth on Victoria's Secret lingerie stores and Bath & Body Works
units, which provided 72% of revenue in 2006 and almost all the firm's profit. There are 1,000 Victoria's Secret lingerie
stores and 100 independent Victoria's Secret Beauty Stores in the US, mostly in shopping centers. It sells brassieres, panties, hosiery, cosmetics, sleepwear, and other products. Victoria's Secret mails more than 400 million of its catalogs per year. Under pressure from environmentalist groups, Victoria's Secret's parent firm and a conservation group have reached an agreement to make the lingerie retailer's catalog more environmentally friendly in 2006. The catalog will no longer be made of pulp supplied from any woodland caribou habitat range in Canada, unless it has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
. The catalogs will also be made of 10 percent recycled paper from post-consumer waste.
The company gained notoriety in the early 1990s after it began to use supermodel
s in its advertising and fashion shows. Throughout the past decade, it has turned down celebrity models and endorsements.
in August 2010, Toronto
in September 2010 and Calgary
in May 2011. Edmonton and Calgary have the only four locations in Western Canada
, which includes the West Edmonton Mall
, Kingsway Mall, Chinook Centre
, and Southcentre Mall
, while eight locations were opened in Toronto, including Yorkdale Shopping Centre
, Toronto Eaton Centre
, Upper Canada Mall, Mapleview Centre
in Burlington
, the Sherway Shopping Centre in Etobicoke and Square One Shopping Centre
in Mississauga in which holds the largest store in Canada. Quebec's first store will open in 2012 at Carrefour Laval
.
, Kuwait
and the United Arab Emirates
, although these are franchise stores owned and operated by M.H. Alshaya Co primarily offering beauty and branded accessory products.
in San Juan
, Puerto Rico
. A second store will open at Sambil Santo Domingo Mall in Santo Domingo
, Dominican Republic
.
as part of two or three stores opening across the city. It also plans further nationwide expansion across the UK. Victoria's Secret executive vice president and chief administrative officer Martyn R Redgrave told WWD "That's what we're looking to do as we expand, in the U.K. in particular, and those will be company-owned and operated."
, Karen Mulder
, Daniela Pestova
, Stephanie Seymour
, and Tyra Banks
. Due to their growing popularity, the brand used them in several other advertising campaigns until Christensen's departure. In February 1998, the Angels made their runway debut at Victoria's Secret's 4th annual fashion show, with Chandra North
filling in for Christensen. Their line-up has been changed multiple times over the years and the brand currently lists 11 supermodels on its website, including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
. Among other recognitions, the Victoria's Secret Angels were chosen to be part of People
Magazine's annual "100 Most Beautiful People in the World" issue in 2007 and became the first trademark awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
on November 13, 2007.
Other notable spokesmodels for the brand have included: Claudia Schiffer
, Eva Herzigova
, Ana Hickmann
, Oluchi Onweagba
, Jessica Stam
, Quiana Grant
, Emanuela de Paula
, and Lais Ribeiro. Both Ana Beatriz Barros
and Daria Werbowy
are known to have turned down an Angel contract.
Note: Most Angels started working with the company years prior to signing an Angel contract. Listed above are the dates of first published or aired campaigns or, by default, first runway show or event.
, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Erin Heatherton, Chanel Iman, Candice Swanepoel and Elsa Hosk
have been taking part in events for the brand. Promotions for the line come from college tours, tie-ins with the music channel MTV
, and social media such as Facebook
, MySpace
, and other social media that is of interest to young adults. In 2011, the line announced a partnership with all 32 NFL teams and began selling apparel containing NFL team logos and names.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
retailer of women's wear, lingerie
Lingerie
Lingerie are fashionable and possibly alluring undergarments.Lingerie usually incorporates one or more flexible, stretchy materials like Lycra, nylon , polyester, satin, lace, silk and sheer fabric which are not typically used in more functional, basic cotton undergarments.The term in the French...
and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands
Limited Brands
Limited Brands is an American apparel company based in Columbus, Ohio. In 2009 it reported 9.04 billion dollars in revenue for the last fiscal year.-History:...
with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income
Earnings before interest and taxes
In accounting and finance, earnings before interest and taxes is a measure of a firm's profit that excludes interest and income tax expenses. Operating income is the difference between operating revenues and operating expenses...
of $1 billion in 2006. Victoria's Secret is known for its annual fashion show, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and for its catalog
Mail order
Mail order is a term which describes the buying of goods or services by mail delivery. The buyer places an order for the desired products with the merchant through some remote method such as through a telephone call or web site. Then, the products are delivered to the customer...
s, both of which feature top fashion models.
History
Victoria's Secret was started in San Francisco, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, in 1977 by Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
and Stanford Graduate School of Business
Stanford Graduate School of Business
The Stanford Graduate School of Business is one of the professional schools of Stanford University, in Stanford, California and is broadly regarded as one of the best business schools in the world.The Stanford GSB offers a general management Master of Business Administration degree, the Sloan...
alumnus Roy Raymond
Roy Raymond (businessman)
Roy Raymond was an American businessman who started the Victoria's Secret lingerie retail store.Raymond, an alumnus of Tufts University and The Stanford Graduate School of Business, opened the first Victoria's Secret store at the Stanford Shopping Center after feeling embarrassed trying to...
, who felt embarrassed trying to purchase lingerie for his wife in a department store
Department store
A department store is a retail establishment which satisfies a wide range of the consumer's personal and residential durable goods product needs; and at the same time offering the consumer a choice of multiple merchandise lines, at variable price points, in all product categories...
environment. He opened the first store at Stanford Shopping Center
Stanford Shopping Center
Stanford Shopping Center is an upscale open air shopping mall located on El Camino Real at Sand Hill Road in Palo Alto, California. It is on the campus of Stanford University although the university only owns the land and not the actual buildings or stores...
in Palo Alto, and quickly followed it with a mail-order catalog and three other stores. The stores were meant to create a comfortable environment for men, with wood-paneled walls, Victorian details and helpful sales staff. Instead of racks of bras and panties in every size, there were single styles, paired together and mounted on the wall in frames. Men could browse for styles for women and sales staff would help estimate the appropriate size, pulling from inventory in the back rooms.
In 1982, after five years of operation, Roy Raymond sold the Victoria's Secret company, with its six stores and 42-page catalogue, grossing $6 million per year, to Leslie Wexner, creator of The Limited, for $4 million. The Limited kept the personalized image of Victoria's Secret intact. Victoria's Secret was rapidly expanded into the U.S. malls throughout the 1980s. The company was able to vend a widened range of products, such as shoes, evening wear, and perfumes, with its mail catalog issued eight times annually. By the early 1990s, Victoria's Secret had become the largest American lingerie retailer, topping one billion dollars.
Beginning in 1995, Victoria's Secret began holding the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which is broadcast
Broadcast
Broadcast or Broadcasting may refer to:* Broadcasting, the transmission of audio and video signals* Broadcast, an individual television program or radio program* Broadcast , an English electronic music band...
ed primetime on American television. The show is a lavish event with elaborate costume
Costume
The term costume can refer to wardrobe and dress in general, or to the distinctive style of dress of a particular people, class, or period. Costume may also refer to the artistic arrangement of accessories in a picture, statue, poem, or play, appropriate to the time, place, or other circumstances...
d lingerie
Lingerie
Lingerie are fashionable and possibly alluring undergarments.Lingerie usually incorporates one or more flexible, stretchy materials like Lycra, nylon , polyester, satin, lace, silk and sheer fabric which are not typically used in more functional, basic cotton undergarments.The term in the French...
, varying music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, and set design according to the different themes running within the show. The show attracts hundreds of celebrities and entertainers, with special performers and/or acts every year.
On July 10, 2007, Limited Brands sold 75% of The Limited clothing chain to firm Sun Capital Partners to focus and boost sales growth on Victoria's Secret lingerie stores and Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works, LLC, is an American retail store under the Limited Brands umbrella. It was founded in 1990 in New Albany, Ohio and has since expanded across the United States and Canada. It specializes in lotions, bath items, personal care items, and home fragrances.The company launched both a...
units, which provided 72% of revenue in 2006 and almost all the firm's profit. There are 1,000 Victoria's Secret lingerie
Lingerie
Lingerie are fashionable and possibly alluring undergarments.Lingerie usually incorporates one or more flexible, stretchy materials like Lycra, nylon , polyester, satin, lace, silk and sheer fabric which are not typically used in more functional, basic cotton undergarments.The term in the French...
stores and 100 independent Victoria's Secret Beauty Stores in the US, mostly in shopping centers. It sells brassieres, panties, hosiery, cosmetics, sleepwear, and other products. Victoria's Secret mails more than 400 million of its catalogs per year. Under pressure from environmentalist groups, Victoria's Secret's parent firm and a conservation group have reached an agreement to make the lingerie retailer's catalog more environmentally friendly in 2006. The catalog will no longer be made of pulp supplied from any woodland caribou habitat range in Canada, unless it has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council is an international not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder organization established in 1993 to promote responsible management of the world’s forests. Its main tools for achieving this are standard setting, independent certification and labeling of forest products...
. The catalogs will also be made of 10 percent recycled paper from post-consumer waste.
The company gained notoriety in the early 1990s after it began to use supermodel
Supermodel
The term supermodel refers to a highly-paid fashion model who usually has a worldwide reputation and often a background in haute couture and commercial modeling. The term became prominent in the popular culture of the 1980s. Supermodels usually work for top fashion designers and labels...
s in its advertising and fashion shows. Throughout the past decade, it has turned down celebrity models and endorsements.
Canada
Victoria's Secret opened their first stores outside the United States in three Canadian cities: EdmontonEdmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
in August 2010, Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in September 2010 and Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
in May 2011. Edmonton and Calgary have the only four locations in Western Canada
Western Canada
Western Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada that includes the four provinces west of the province of Ontario.- Provinces :...
, which includes the West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall , located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is the largest shopping mall in North America and the fifth largest in the world. The mall was founded by the Ghermezian brothers, who emigrated from Iran in 1959. It was the world's largest mall until 2004.West Edmonton Mall covers a gross...
, Kingsway Mall, Chinook Centre
Chinook Centre
Chinook Centre is the largest enclosed shopping centre in Calgary, Alberta containing over 250 stores, a professional building, and a major theatre complex...
, and Southcentre Mall
Southcentre Mall
Southcentre Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in Calgary, Alberta, , and contains approximately 190 stores and services over two floors. It is located in the City's southeast quadrant at the intersection of Macleod Trail and Anderson Road, and across the street from the Anderson C-Train...
, while eight locations were opened in Toronto, including Yorkdale Shopping Centre
Yorkdale Shopping Centre
Yorkdale Shopping Centre is a large shopping mall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It contains over 250 stores and is located in the community of Downsview, in North York. It is the fifth largest shopping mall in Canada and also enjoys the highest sales per square foot of any mall in Canada, with...
, Toronto Eaton Centre
Toronto Eaton Centre
The Toronto Eaton Centre is a large shopping mall and office complex in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, named after the now-defunct Eaton's department store chain that once anchored it. In terms of the number of visitors, the shopping mall is Toronto's top tourist attraction, with around one...
, Upper Canada Mall, Mapleview Centre
Mapleview Centre
Mapleview Centre or simply called Mapleview is a two story upscale shopping mall located in Burlington, Ontario, Canada on Maple Avenue and Fairview Street at the Queen Elizabeth Way . The mall was opened in September 1990 and is owned by Ivanhoe Cambridge...
in Burlington
Burlington
Burlington often refers to:* Burlington, Ontario* Burlington, VermontBurlington may also mean:-England:*Bridlington in Yorkshire, previously known as "Burlington"*Burlington, a codename for Central Government War Headquarters-Canada:...
, the Sherway Shopping Centre in Etobicoke and Square One Shopping Centre
Square One Shopping Centre
Square One Shopping Centre is a shopping mall located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the largest shopping malls in Canada, with over 1.6 million square feet of retail space and more than 360 stores and services...
in Mississauga in which holds the largest store in Canada. Quebec's first store will open in 2012 at Carrefour Laval
Carrefour Laval
Carrefour Laval is a super regional mall located in Laval, Quebec, Canada at the intersection of the Laurentian Highway and Laval Freeway...
.
Middle East
The first Victoria Secret stores outside North America opened in BahrainBahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
and the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
, although these are franchise stores owned and operated by M.H. Alshaya Co primarily offering beauty and branded accessory products.
Caribbean
The Brand’s first Caribbean store will open this Fall at Plaza Las AmericasPlaza Las Américas
Plaza Las Américas is a shopping mall in Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico, located at the intersection of Routes 18 and 22. It is near the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and the WKAQ-TV's studios. "Plaza", as it is known to many Puerto Ricans, was the first indoor mall built...
in San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. A second store will open at Sambil Santo Domingo Mall in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
.
United Kingdom
In November 2004, the company opened its first boutique in the UK at Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5 with the help of World Duty Free. In 2012, Victoria's Secret will open their first 16500 square feet (1,532.9 m²) flagship store on New Bond Street, LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
as part of two or three stores opening across the city. It also plans further nationwide expansion across the UK. Victoria's Secret executive vice president and chief administrative officer Martyn R Redgrave told WWD "That's what we're looking to do as we expand, in the U.K. in particular, and those will be company-owned and operated."
Victoria's Secret Angels
Although it now refers to the brand's most visible spokeswomen (while the fashion show models are referred to as "Runway Angels"), the Angels started out as Victoria's Secret's lingerie line. The models featured in the original advertising campaign in 1997 were Helena ChristensenHelena Christensen
Helena Christensen is a Danish fashion model, Victoria's Secret Angel, beauty queen, and photographer. She has also served as creative director for Nylon magazine, designed clothing, and supported funding for breast cancer organizations and other charities.-Early life:Christensen was born in...
, Karen Mulder
Karen Mulder
Karen Mulder is a Dutch former model and singer. During the 90s, she had a successful modeling career and was recognized as a world-class "supermodel" by various media...
, Daniela Pestova
Daniela Peštová
Daniela Peštová is a Czech model. She was born in Teplice, Czech Republic, and was discovered by the Madison Modeling Agency's Dominique Caffin. She had plans to attend college but after winning a modelling contest she moved to Paris to sign with Madison Modeling Agency...
, Stephanie Seymour
Stephanie Seymour
Stephanie Michelle Seymour is an American model and actress. Seymour has modeled for many notable fashion magazines and designers, and has been photographed by several well-known photographers including Herb Ritts, Richard Avedon, Gilles Bensimon, and Mario Testino.-Career:Born in San Diego,...
, and Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks
Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough...
. Due to their growing popularity, the brand used them in several other advertising campaigns until Christensen's departure. In February 1998, the Angels made their runway debut at Victoria's Secret's 4th annual fashion show, with Chandra North
Chandra North
-Early years:Growing up, North had aspirations of becoming a professional ballerina. In her teen years, North was a bit rebellious. While her classmates would be attending school dance, she would be hitting up underground night clubs. While attending Southern Methodist University, she was scouted...
filling in for Christensen. Their line-up has been changed multiple times over the years and the brand currently lists 11 supermodels on its website, including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Rosie Alice Huntington-Whiteley is an English model and actress, best known for her work for lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret and Burberry, and also for her role as Carly Spencer in the 2011 film Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the third installment in the Transformers film series.-Early life...
. Among other recognitions, the Victoria's Secret Angels were chosen to be part of People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
Magazine's annual "100 Most Beautiful People in the World" issue in 2007 and became the first trademark awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
on November 13, 2007.
Other notable spokesmodels for the brand have included: Claudia Schiffer
Claudia Schiffer
Claudia Schiffer is a German model and occasional actress, who reached the peak of her popularity during the 1990s, initially due to her resemblance to Brigitte Bardot. Schiffer is one of the world's most successful models, having appeared on over 500 magazine covers...
, Eva Herzigova
Eva Herzigová
Eva Herzigová is a Czech model and actress.-Early life and career:Herzigová was born in Litvínov, Czechoslovakia . She began her modeling career after winning a modeling beauty contest in Prague in 1989, at the age of sixteen. After arriving in Paris, her popularity increased...
, Ana Hickmann
Ana Hickmann
Ana Lúcia Hickmann is a German Brazilian model who has worked for Victoria's Secret, Nivea, L'Oreal, Clairol, and Bloomingdales...
, Oluchi Onweagba
Oluchi Onweagba
-Early life:Onweagba grew up in the suburbs of Lagos, Nigeria with her two brothers and sisters. She is the daughter of a civil servant father and mother who was a nurse. When Onweagba was 16 years old, she won the "Face Of Africa" contest.-Discovery:...
, Jessica Stam
Jessica Stam
Jessica Stam is a Canadian model. She is considered to be part of the crop of models described as "doll faces" alongside Gemma Ward, Sasha Pivovarova, Vlada Roslyakova, Lily Cole, Caroline Trentini, Devon Aoki, and Heather Marks...
, Quiana Grant
Quiana Grant
Quiana Grant is an American model who appeared in the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She was featured in a bodypainting layout as a canvas for bodypaint artist Joanne Gair who is in her tenth year of producing bodypaint art for the Swimsuit Issue...
, Emanuela de Paula
Emanuela de Paula
Emanuela de Paula is a Brazilian model. She has been the face of UK retailer Next for the past two seasons and can be seen in the 2009 Pirelli Calendar...
, and Lais Ribeiro. Both Ana Beatriz Barros
Ana Beatriz Barros
Ana Beatriz Barros is a Brazilian model known for her work with Guess?, bebe, Victoria's Secret, Chanel cosmetics, and Jennifer Lopez's JLO fashion line.-Early life and family:...
and Daria Werbowy
Daria Werbowy
Daria Werbowy is a Ukrainian Canadian model. She is perhaps best known as a spokesperson for the French beauty brand Lancôme.-Personal life:...
are known to have turned down an Angel contract.
| Nationality |
Name |
Contract |
First hiring |
Runway shows |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 United States |
Stephanie Seymour Stephanie Seymour Stephanie Michelle Seymour is an American model and actress. Seymour has modeled for many notable fashion magazines and designers, and has been photographed by several well-known photographers including Herb Ritts, Richard Avedon, Gilles Bensimon, and Mario Testino.-Career:Born in San Diego,... |
1997–2000 | 1990 | 1995–2000 | 1995 Fashion Show host |
 Denmark |
Helena Christensen Helena Christensen Helena Christensen is a Danish fashion model, Victoria's Secret Angel, beauty queen, and photographer. She has also served as creative director for Nylon magazine, designed clothing, and supported funding for breast cancer organizations and other charities.-Early life:Christensen was born in... |
1997-1998 | 1996 | 1996–1997 | |
 Netherlands |
Karen Mulder Karen Mulder Karen Mulder is a Dutch former model and singer. During the 90s, she had a successful modeling career and was recognized as a world-class "supermodel" by various media... |
1997–2000 | 1992 | 1998–2000 | |
 Czech Republic |
Daniela Peštová Daniela Peštová Daniela Peštová is a Czech model. She was born in Teplice, Czech Republic, and was discovered by the Madison Modeling Agency's Dominique Caffin. She had plans to attend college but after winning a modelling contest she moved to Paris to sign with Madison Modeling Agency... |
1997-2002 | 1996 | 1998–2001 | |
| United States |
Tyra Banks Tyra Banks Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough... |
1997-2005 | 1996 | 1996–2005 | |
 Argentina |
Inés Rivero Ines Rivero María Inés Rivero is an Argentine model.- Life and career :Rivero was born in Córdoba, Argentina. Her mother enrolled her into a modeling school, and she made her modeling debut at the age of 14, when she worked in a local fashion show... |
1998 | 1998 | 1998–2001 | |
 France |
Laetitia Casta Laetitia Casta Laetitia Marie Laure Casta is a French model and actress.-Early life:Laetitia Casta was born in Pont-Audemer, Normandy, France. Her mother, Line Blin, is from Normandy. Her father, Dominique Casta, is from Corsica. She has an older brother, Jean-Baptiste, and a younger sister, Marie-Ange... |
1998–2000 | 1997 | 1997–2000 | |
 Germany United States |
Heidi Klum Heidi Klum Heidi Samuel , better known by her birth name Heidi Klum, is a German model, actress, television host, businesswoman, fashion designer, television producer, and occasional singer. In 2008 she became an American citizen while maintaining her native German citizenship... |
1999–2010 | 1997 | 1997-2009 (host only in 2006) | Fashion Show host 2002, 2006–2009 |
 Brazil |
Gisele Bundchen Gisele Bündchen Gisele Caroline Bündchen is a Brazilian fashion model, occasional film actress and goodwill ambassador for the UN Environment Programme.In the late 1990s, Bündchen became one of the first in a wave of Brazilian models to find success... |
2000-2007 | 1999 | 1999–2006 | |
| Brazil |
Adriana Lima Adriana Lima Adriana Lima is a Brazilian model, best known as a Victoria's Secret Angel since 2000, and as a spokesmodel for Maybelline cosmetics from 2003 to 2009... |
2000- | 1999 | 1999–2008, 2010- | |
| Brazil |
Alessandra Ambrosio Alessandra Ambrosio Alessandra Corine Ambrósio is a Brazilian model. Ambrosio is best known for her work with Victoria's Secret and was chosen as the first spokesmodel for the company's "PINK" line... |
2004- | 2000 | 2000- | PINK spokesmodel: 2004-2006 |
| Czech Republic |
Karolína Kurková Karolína Kurková Karolína Isela Kurková is a Czech model, best known as a former Victoria's Secret Angel, and an aspiring actress. Mario Testino said of Kurková, "The proportions of her body and her face, as well as her energy level, make her a model who could fit almost into any moment." Vogue editor Anna... |
2005-2008 | 2000 | 2000–2008, 2010 | |
 Cayman Islands |
Selita Ebanks Selita Ebanks Selita Ebanks is a Caymanian fashion model. She worked for Victoria's Secret and as a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2005-2008.-Early life:... |
2005-2008 | 2004 | 2005-2010 | |
| Brazil |
Izabel Goulart Izabel Goulart Maria Izabel Goulart Dourado , better known as Izabel Goulart, is a Brazilian model. She is best known as one of the Victoria's Secret Angels from 2005 to present and for her work with Armani Exchange.-Early life and career:... |
2005-2008 | 2004 | 2005- | |
| United States |
Marisa Miller Marisa Miller Marisa Lee Miller is an American model best known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues and her work for lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret. After a stint shooting with photographer Mario Testino for fashion magazines like Vogue, Miller began working for both companies in... |
2007-2010 | 2002 | 2007–2009 | |
 Australia |
Miranda Kerr Miranda Kerr Miranda May Kerr is an Australian model. She is best known as one of the Victoria's Secret Angels since mid-2007. She is the first Australian to participate in the Victoria's Secret campaign and also represents Australian fashion chain David Jones... |
2007- | 2005 | 2006–2009, 2011- | PINK spokesmodel: 2006-2008 |
| Netherlands |
Doutzen Kroes | 2008- | 2004 | 2005–2006, 2008–2009, 2011- | |
 Namibia |
Behati Prinsloo Behati Prinsloo Behati Prinsloo is a Namibian model. She is known for her work as spokesmodel for the Victoria's Secret sub-brand Pink.-Biography and career:... |
2009- | 2007 | 2007- | PINK Spokesmodel 2008- |
 South Africa |
Candice Swanepoel Candice Swanepoel Candice Swanepoel is a South African model best known for her work with Victoria's Secret.-Early life & career :Candice Swanepoel was born in Mooi River, Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, and was spotted by a model scout in a Durban flea market at age 15. By age 16, Swanepoel was earning €5,000 or R40,000... |
2010- | 2007 | 2007- | PINK Spokesmodel 2007-2010 |
| United Kingdom | Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Rosie Alice Huntington-Whiteley is an English model and actress, best known for her work for lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret and Burberry, and also for her role as Carly Spencer in the 2011 film Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the third installment in the Transformers film series.-Early life... |
2010 | 2006 | 2006-2010 | PINK Spokesmodel 2006-2007 |
| United States |
Erin Heatherton Erin Heatherton Erin Heatherton is an American fashion model from Skokie, Illinois.-Life and career:Erin Heatherton grew up in Skokie, Illinois, and attended Solomon Schechter Day School as well as Niles North High School. Heatherton was discovered vacationing on South Beach, Miami, and eventually signed with the... |
2010- | 2008 | 2008- | |
| United States |
Chanel Iman Chanel Iman Chanel Iman Robinson , known professionally as Chanel Iman, is an American fashion model perhaps best known for her work for Victoria's Secret.-Early life:... |
2010- | 2008 | 2009- | PINK Spokesmodel 2009- |
| United States |
Lily Aldridge Lily Aldridge Lily Aldridge is an American model best known for her work with Victoria's Secret.-Personal life:Aldridge was born at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California and hails from a fashion-oriented family. She is the daughter of English artist Alan Aldridge and Playboy Playmate of the month... |
2010- | 2008 | 2009- | |
| United States |
Lindsay Ellingson | 2011- | 2006 | 2007- |
Note: Most Angels started working with the company years prior to signing an Angel contract. Listed above are the dates of first published or aired campaigns or, by default, first runway show or event.
PINK
Founded in 2004 and marketed towards late-teen and college-age women, sub-brand PINK sells age-appropriate underwear, sleepwear, lounge wear, beauty products, and accessories, with the intent to transition buyers into more adult product lines, such as Angels, Very Sexy, and Body by Victoria. The PINK brand is marketed to be fun, playful, and flirtatious. Ambrosio, Kerr, and Prinsloo have all been official faces of PINK. Other models, such as Jessica StamJessica Stam
Jessica Stam is a Canadian model. She is considered to be part of the crop of models described as "doll faces" alongside Gemma Ward, Sasha Pivovarova, Vlada Roslyakova, Lily Cole, Caroline Trentini, Devon Aoki, and Heather Marks...
, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Erin Heatherton, Chanel Iman, Candice Swanepoel and Elsa Hosk
Elsa Hosk
Elsa Anna Sofie Hosk is a Swedish fashion model who has worked for a number of leading brands including Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Ungaro and Guess. In 2011 she modelled for Victoria's Secret, appearing in the brand's annual fashion show....
have been taking part in events for the brand. Promotions for the line come from college tours, tie-ins with the music channel MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, and social media such as Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
, MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
, and other social media that is of interest to young adults. In 2011, the line announced a partnership with all 32 NFL teams and began selling apparel containing NFL team logos and names.
See also
- List of swimwear brands
- List of Victoria's Secret models